濮阳市

Why this place

Puyang is an oil town on the old course of the Yellow River, and it holds the oldest known dragon figure in China — a shell-mosaic dragon buried with a body about 6,000 years ago, excavated at Xishuipo. It is also where the Zaojun (kitchen god) tradition is anchored.

What to see

• The Xishuipo site and the shell-mosaic dragon, in the local museum
• The Yellow River dykes and the old river course
• The Confucian and Han-era heritage of the surrounding counties

What to eat

• Henan yellow-river fish and lamb
• Puyang is known for its 'Zhuangyuan' pastries and its sesame snacks

Best time

April–May and September–October